Get ready to travel to an alternate 1990s! The Electric State, the highly anticipated film from directors Anthony and Joe Russo. Based on Simon Stålenhag’s stunning illustrated novel, is just around the corner. A recent behind-the-scenes video has offered a fascinating glimpse. It shows the unique creative process that brought this retro-futuristic world to life.
From Real Lakes to Digital Worlds
Building the film’s unique world involved a fascinating blend of the real and the digital. The team did not rely solely on CGI or soundstages. They ventured out to scan real locations. These included the breathtaking landscapes around two beautiful lakes in Norway. This meticulous data collection allowed them to precisely find the perfect location, angle, and even sun position for each shot. This effort grounded the fantastical setting in a sense of reality. Digital enhancements were then layered on top.
Bringing Robots to Life with Heart (and Mo-Cap)
One of the most distinctive elements of Stålenhag’s work, and the film, are the robots. The video highlights their striking retro-futuristic design, directly inspired by the illustrated novel. Bringing these mechanical characters to life was a complex process heavily reliant on motion capture technology. It wasn’t just about technology. Actors dedicated months to preparing the physical movements necessary to embody these diverse robot personalities. The video shows mo-cap performers working alongside the main cast on set. Optical-based mo-cap was also used later to fine-tune performances. The visual effects were expertly handled by several top-tier VFX companies, ensuring these creations are visually stunning.
Capturing the Alternate ’90s Vibe
The film’s setting is in an alternate 1990s. It is a world where humans and robots share the world. This setting provided a rich canvas for production design. The team intentionally incorporated nostalgic elements from that era throughout the film. In a fascinating detail, they aimed for an authentic, gritty ’90s VHS look for certain visual effects. They recorded their finished VFX shots onto actual old VHS tapes. This was a unique approach to capturing the era’s aesthetic!
A Star-Studded Journey
Adding to the excitement is an incredible ensemble cast. It features talents like Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, and Jason Alexander. Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, and Jenny Slate are also part of it. The cast includes Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci too.
See it on Netflix
Real Norwegian landscapes are scanned. Retro-futuristic robots are brought to life with dedicated performances. Effects are even recorded onto VHS. The behind-the-scenes look at The Electric State reveals a production deeply committed to realizing Simon Stålenhag’s unique vision.
The Electric State premiered globally on Netflix on March 14, 2025.
